Review: The MecArmy SGN3 CREE XP G2 Keychain LED Flashlight

I am an admitted flashlight junkie. Ever since I was a kid I loved flashlights. Not sure what is was that created that fascination but it has stuck with me and I know I’m not alone. A couple of weeks ago Gearbest.com offered to send me a flashlight I was not familiar with – the MecArmy SGN3 G2 Keychain Light. Think I’m going to turn that offer down? Nope!

There are plenty of keychain lights out there and I have had several. Generally they throw out a low-level of illumination which is fine for seeing a key when opening a door. Battery life has been an issue in my experience as they have not last but a few months. This is where the MecArmy separates itself from the pack and makes this review so easy – 160 lumens. That’s right – the MecArmy throws out 160 lumens. This is unheard of in such a small light especially one that easily fits on my keychain.

The light pattern is flood covering a very large area. Pictures will follow that show how this tiny keychain light will light up a huge area in front of my house. Pictures really just don’t do it just. I would love to see this thing with a weapons mount to make a very small but bright light on one of my AR’s.

The MecArmy SGN3 G2 is rechargeable. No more throwing it away when the battery dies and having to buy another light. Simply plug it in every week or so and it will be there when needed.

There are several light modes which I suppose can be useful. I am one that likes a flashlight to turn ON – and OFF. That’s it. No multiple levels of brightness and strobe options. I want OFF and BURN THE HOUSE DOWN. Maybe I’m exaggerating a I think you get what I mean. Well – the MecArmy has numerous levels of brightness as well as different colors and even a red flashing mode that someone might like. It is pretty cool and I suppose the red light would be good for reading at night.

Here are a few specifications:

Charges from dead to fully charged in 90 minutes

Charges from any USB port using a common mini-USB charging cable

Contains 3 LED’s including a CREE XP-G2 as the main

Main LED is bright white/UV while the low power secondary LED’s are red and white(looks bluish to me)

Body and reflective cone are aluminum

Below are several pictures I took with accompanying descriptions. This is not a long-winded review. This thing is solid and works.

Brief summary follows the pictures:

Above: The MecArmy SGN3 G2 is about the size of a standard USB thumb drive.

Below: Simple push button operation turns on the main LED and offers two levels of brightness with multiple presses.

Above: The mini-USB charging port is protected from dust and grime with a tight-fitting rubber cover that inserts into the cavity. It is permanently attached to the light so it does not get lost.

Below: With the rubber cover removed the port can be accessed using any common mini-USB charging cable. Super easy to charge while driving or sitting on a counter.

Above: The MecArmy is extremely bright with the main LED turned on.

Below: The low power bluish light offers what a typical keychain light does – enough light to find a key and open a door.

Above: The red light works well for map reading and reducing the loss of night vision when navigating at night and not wanting to use the main LED.

Above: Outside my house at night. Only illumination is from a street light quite a ways away. To the human eye area is too dark to walk.

Below: The MecArmy flooding the area with 160 lumens of light. Impressive.

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Summary:

It should be obvious I like the flashlight. At around $45.00 with Free Shipping it is certainly more expensive than your typical keychain light. Here is the difference: With the MecArmy if your normal flashlight is not available you have a very suitable flashlight with you as long as you have your keys. In fact – the MecArmy may be brighter than many of the flashlights people out there have in their get home bags and survival kits.

I have given a lot of Pro’s – are there any Con’s? Other than wishing it just had OFF and ON function for the main LED I haven’t found any yet.

Current price is $42.90(on sale) and price may go up at any time. There is also a coupon code for 8% off – GBLED2016. I am not sure how long the coupon code will be good for and it will work on other MecArmy flashlights as well.

4 Comments

I’ve seen this light in action and it is truly awesome! Gets and holds a charge for a long time, common cell phone charger will get it up and running.
This thing is so small you can forget that it’s in your pocket! It’s also bright enough to not only light your way, but can shine and illuminate a good 40-50 yards easily.

Only bad thing I would say is the price… But I could over look it. Would be great in a pocket or ultra light kit.

I’m with JR on this… I want it rail mountable. Maybe I could super glue a railclamp on it….

Let me correct you on one item, as I have this flashlight. The other light that looks bluish is actually ultraviolet. Check it out on some Day-Glo poster or something it works very well. I agree with everything else you posted this is one of the best keychain flashlights in the world.

Your killing me and so is my wife if I get this one. I’m still loving the Olight S1 Baton Aluminum LED you demonstrated on your old website. In fact, I show it off to quite a few people all the time and almost everyone of them….then went out and bought that one. It’s waterproof to 6 feet and all the other awesome things. Do a review of it here also 😉

I do think this is a perfect addition and not a bad choice for an “Ops” carry tool. I want to get one, but I have to splain it to the wife. I wonder how many recharges it will take before it goes kaput and what the outdoor resistance it has? I located a website that says the water rating is IPX 5, (not bad).

Here’s what I found on the light that seems to document this really awesome light pretty well.

Thanks for this review. Did the deal, got the extra 8% off, total 38$ + change. Currently have a Fenix keychain light, 1 AAA battery, 7 or 8 years old, still worthy, operational, waterproof, and small package, but wanted something a bit smaller and brighter.
Voila’ ! Will see how it performs and holds up. Technology never ceases to amaze.